Beth El Temple of West Hartford

High Holidays 5780/2019

We hope you enjoyed a meaningful Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!

For information on the holidays coming up in the next few weeks, click here.

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Welcome To Beth El Temple!

Learning

We enjoy and encourage all levels of learning, from our youngest members to our lifelong learners. Discover ways to grow in your faith with us.

Mitzvot

We are cooking, planting, knitting and donating our way to a better world. See how you can join us in making an impact today.

Services

Discover our wide range of worship options, from traditional sanctuary services to Shabbat yoga and outdoor celebrations.

Community

Our inclusive family welcomes you to join us as we come together for celebrations and comfort.

EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY

What’s Happening at Beth El Temple

Lunch & Book Discussion with Dani Shapiro

Wednesday, Oct 16th 12:00p to 1:30pGather in the Sukkah with Women's Network and best-selling author Dani Shapiro.

Family Pizza in the Hut

Wednesday, Oct 16th 5:30p to 7:00pIt’s a mitzvah to eat in the sukkah! Join us for pizza, songs, and lulav waving! Open to all, RSVP required.

Sukkahfest: Sushi & Sake & Steak in the Sukkah

Thursday, Oct 17th 6:00p to 8:30pEat, Drink and be Merry! A local expert will discuss the various kosher sake we’ll taste. Come and socialize with the Beth El Community It’s a Mitzvah to eat in the Sukkah Thursday, October 17th 6:00pm - 8:30pm Beth El Temple Sukkah Cost: $25 Checks paid to “Beth El Men’s Club” must be received by Oct. 11th. Mail to: 2626 Albany Ave., W. Hartford, CT 06117 Info: Jacob Kovel (860) 651-9366 / eaglewars@aol.com Sponsored by Beth El Men’s Club

Violin and Piano Recital

Thursday, Oct 24th 8:00p to 9:30pWorld-renowned musicians Rolf Schulte, violin, and James Winn, piano, will perform music of the great composers: Beethoven, Schoenberg, Martino, Webern and Bartók.

Breakfast with Joel Samberg: "Blowin' in the Wind" & Other Adventures in Writing

Sunday, Nov 3rd 9:15a to 11:15aPlease join us for the Men’s Club kickoff breakfast featuring a writer who is back by popular demand, Avon’s Joel Samberg. Joel, an author and journalist, has written on many topics, including Jewish themes for books and magazines. His new novel, Blowin' in the Wind, a sweeping Jewish-American suburban saga filled with comedy, drama, and music, centers around the life of a young musical prodigy as he and his family navigate the turbulent 1960s. Joel—who will also discuss some other intriguing topics he’s covered (and the various challenges inherent in his profession)—has five nonfiction books to his credit, including "Reel Jewish: A Century of Jewish Movies," "Some Kind of Lonely Clown: The Music, Memory & Melancholy Lives of Karen Carpenter," and a book about his grandfather, the Jewish novelty entertainer Benny Bell, whose popular song "Shaving Cream" was a hit in 1946 & 1975 and is still popular today. A Q&A session will conclude the program, followed by a book signing. RSVP: by October 30th to Jacob Kovel (860-651-9366 or eaglewars@aol.com) This free breakfast program is sponsored by the family of Stanley Wiesen in his memory.

Axe Throwing with Men's Club

Thursday, Nov 14th 7:45p to 10:00pPlease join us for a fun evening enjoying the latest craze – Axe Throwing, a (non-)sport in which the competitor throws an axe at a target, attempting to hit the bull’s eye! It is often compared to dart throwing, except with an axe! With 7 pits, 8000 square feet and a brand new Street Curling pit, Montana Nights is the largest axe-throwing facility in New England. We will be providing refreshments; beer and wine available for purchase. Cost: $25 RSVP by 11/7 to David Finitsis (860-790-7195 or davidjfinitsis@gmail.com).

Simchat Torah Congregational Dinner and Services

Monday, Oct 21st 5:00p to 8:30p5pm – Simchat Torah Dinner – Free and open to all (while food lasts)! Kindly RSVP so we know to expect you. 6pm – Dancing with the Torah and Celebrating our 1st Graders (and new-to-Beth-El 2nd graders) who will receive mini-Torah scrolls – Celebratory Dessert for All! 7:30pm – Festival Ma'ariv

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Dec 14th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Topics in Tefilah: An In-Depth Exploration of Prayer

Shabbat, Dec 21st 11:00a to 12:00pExplore elements of our Shabbat services with our rabbis. This is a class, not an actual service.

Topics in Tefilah: An In-Depth Exploration of Prayer

Shabbat, Jan 18th 11:00a to 12:00pExplore elements of our Shabbat services with our rabbis. This is a class, not an actual service.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Feb 22nd 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Topics in Tefilah: An In-Depth Exploration of Prayer

Shabbat, Mar 14th 11:00a to 12:00pExplore elements of our Shabbat services with our rabbis. This is a class, not an actual service.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Mar 28th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Apr 25th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, May 30th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Pizza in the Hut

Wednesday, Oct 16th 5:30p to 7:00pIt’s a mitzvah to eat in the sukkah! Join us for pizza, songs, and lulav waving! Open to all, RSVP required.

Shababa with SSDS & PJ Library

Friday, Oct 18th 5:45p to 7:00pChildren age ~8 and younger (and their siblings, parents, grandparents and friends!) are invited to an evening in the Sukkah! Schechter friends will share a story & Rabbi Garber leads songs, dancing, a Torah parade and more! Chicken nuggets & fries served for the kiddos. Free! Simply RSVP online by Thursday, October 17th at noon.

Simchat Torah Congregational Dinner and Services

Monday, Oct 21st 5:00p to 8:30p5pm – Simchat Torah Dinner – Free and open to all (while food lasts)! Kindly RSVP so we know to expect you. 6pm – Dancing with the Torah and Celebrating our 1st Graders (and new-to-Beth-El 2nd graders) who will receive mini-Torah scrolls – Celebratory Dessert for All! 7:30pm – Festival Ma'ariv

Shababa

Friday, Nov 22nd 5:45p to 7:00pShababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and a free chicken nugget dinner. Join Rabbi Ilana Garber in this free monthly program – part of our early childhood education. RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged to enable us to better plan for dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring that month’s Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Rabbi Ilana Garber (igarber@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696).

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Dec 14th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Feb 22nd 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Mar 28th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, Apr 25th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

Family Service & Lunch

Shabbat, May 30th 11:00a to 1:00p We come together as a "family" for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In. Our family service concludes with a special lunch and games, aimed at building our Shabbat family community. RSVPs appreciated by Thursday noon.

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